I am having a bad day today and I have no one to talk to. I have been wanting to become Orthodox for about a year now and have made good progress. But some great obstacles are looming.

All my family are Jehovah's Witnesses and if I openly confess that I want to be Orthodox they will shun me, either most of them or all and probably for the rest of my life.

I am living very far away from a Parish and can't attend the Divine Liturgy or get to know anyone or the priest personally. I also have a job that makes me work every weekend unless a special request is made making it possible to have a weekend off.

I am overwhelmed and confused. Where do I go? Where will my friends be? What will I do for work? I am single and I think it will really be difficult.

The "pearl of great price" is expensive

Please pray for me. Or if anyone is out there you can message me with advice.

I am having a bad day today and I have no one to talk to. I have been wanting to become Orthodox for about a year now and have made good progress. But some great obstacles are looming.

All my family are Jehovah's Witnesses and if I openly confess that I want to be Orthodox they will shun me, either most of them or all and probably for the rest of my life.

I am living very far away from a Parish and can't attend the Divine Liturgy or get to know anyone or the priest personally. I also have a job that makes me work every weekend unless a special request is made making it possible to have a weekend off.

I am overwhelmed and confused. Where do I go? Where will my friends be? What will I do for work? I am single and I think it will really be difficult.

The "pearl of great price" is expensive

Please pray for me. Or if anyone is out there you can message me with advice.

Sorry for the rant

-NI

May I ask how old you are? Are you self supporting? Single or Married?

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Your idea has been debunked 1000 times already.. Maybe 1001 will be the charm

As a result of a thousand million years of evolution, the universe is becoming conscious of itself, able to understand something of its past history and its possible future.-- Sir Julian Sorell Huxley FRS

You who are at every season and every hour, in heaven and on earth, worshipped and glorified; O Christ our God, who are long - suffering, merciful, and compassionate; who love the just and show mercy upon the sinner; who call all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come: O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct his life according to Your commandments.

Sanctify his soul, hallow his body, correct his thoughts, cleanse his mind; deliver him from all tribulations, evil and distress. Compass him about with Your holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, he may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory, for You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen

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Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

I really appreciate those thoughts and prayers. Thank you very much to all that posted. You guys are great, it perked my spirit up.

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May I ask how old you are? Are you self supporting? Single or Married?

I think I need someone to talk to. But anyway, I am single, I rent a room at my sisters because I can't afford to pay the high prices of rent in the area on the wages I earn, but other than that I am self supporting, have no bills, and a fulltime job. I have saved up money to move but I don't think it is enough yet. I am 44. I am not sure where to go or what to do The big issue is the thought about leaving all support behind. It is a bit intimidating.

I am having a bad day today and I have no one to talk to. I have been wanting to become Orthodox for about a year now and have made good progress. But some great obstacles are looming.

That is all so terribly sad.

We have a similar happening - a Muslim became Orthodox and in the process his wife and children left him and he was forbidden to set foot in his own home. Then his brothers withdrew their financial support of his business. He had a shish kebab take-away and it collapsed. He spent a month living in the night shelter until we discovered what had happened and arranged a place for him. He paid a huge price in order to come to Christ from Islam. But he has persevered and he is still a Christian. At one time we worried for his life and whether he might not meet with an *accident* but, thank God, that has not happened.

So I truly admire you for the great sacrifices you are making and I wish I were somewhere closer to be your friend and help get you through the crisis. But I am in New Zealand and so all I have to offer are prayers...... May Christ strengthen you, may His holy Mother protect you and keep you safe.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the of the most pure Theotokos, our holy and God-bearing fathers, all of the saints and all angels and archangels have mercy on your servant [bgcolor=#62ff00]NI[/bgcolor]. Guide him safely into Thy One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church!

As far as advice goes, as difficult as it might be you might consider moving closer to a parish. I really cannot relate to how difficult your situation is at all, but I pray that you would remain faithful to the call home! May Christ bless those of you who truly give up everything for His sake!

As a person who left her home and family to move to a city and state she had never visited before, I can relate to your concerns of needing support, and how important a role family plays.

While I moved away from my family for a job, and you are concerned over losing your family due to religion, the good news is you will be able to find support in the same place I found support; the Church.

I would encourage you to start taking baby steps to develop a relationship with the priest at the OCA parish you visited. Try to make an appointment with him to meet on your day off. Even if you can't meet in person, you can talk over the phone. While your journey to the Orthodox Church may be longer than some, it is still something that is attainable.

Talk to the priest about doing a "Reader Service" by yourself at home for the weeks you can't get to the Church for Divine Liturgy. Even if you are only able to make it the Church for Divine Liturgy once every other month, that is better than nothing.

The other reason you should consult the priest is that he may know of someone who has a room or apartment you could rent that is closer to the church, or at least outside of your sister's house. Even if he doesn't know of someone today, by making him aware of your situation, he can be on the look out in case anything comes up in the future.

By developing a relationship with the priest, he can introduce you to other people who can build up your network of support. He can also be there for you when you tell your family, and to help you deal with their reaction.

I know it may seem strange to reach out to someone you barely know, and ask them for help. This is what they are here for. To guide the flock, and to lead people to Christ.

God bless,

Maureen

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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

As a person who left her home and family to move to a city and state she had never visited before, I can relate to your concerns of needing support, and how important a role family plays.

While I moved away from my family for a job, and you are concerned over losing your family due to religion, the good news is you will be able to find support in the same place I found support; the Church.

I would encourage you to start taking baby steps to develop a relationship with the priest at the OCA parish you visited. Try to make an appointment with him to meet on your day off. Even if you can't meet in person, you can talk over the phone. While your journey to the Orthodox Church may be longer than some, it is still something that is attainable.

Talk to the priest about doing a "Reader Service" by yourself at home for the weeks you can't get to the Church for Divine Liturgy. Even if you are only able to make it the Church for Divine Liturgy once every other month, that is better than nothing.

The other reason you should consult the priest is that he may know of someone who has a room or apartment you could rent that is closer to the church, or at least outside of your sister's house. Even if he doesn't know of someone today, by making him aware of your situation, he can be on the look out in case anything comes up in the future.

By developing a relationship with the priest, he can introduce you to other people who can build up your network of support. He can also be there for you when you tell your family, and to help you deal with their reaction.

I know it may seem strange to reach out to someone you barely know, and ask them for help. This is what they are here for. To guide the flock, and to lead people to Christ.